Greater New Orleans

The Saints defense celebrates a stop on 4th and 1 on a run by Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) during the preseason game between the Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints at the Superdome on Friday, August 16, 2013. (Michael DeMocker, Nola.com / The Times-Picayune)

Everyone knows the rules by now, right? You're not allowed to overreact to anything that happens in the preseason.

Especially when it happens against an Oakland Raiders team that looked absolutely dreadful in the first half of the New Orleans Saints' 28-20 victory Friday night.

So the message after a dominant performance by the Saints' starting units Friday is the same as it was after their lackluster preseason debut a week earlier: Keep calm and carry on.

Still, there were some very legitimate reasons to be more optimistic about the Saints' chances the next time they arrive back in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome three weeks from now for the real deal against the Atlanta Falcons.

First and foremost was the reminder of just how potent the Saints' offense can be when it catches fire.

New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) sacks Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Flynn (15) during the preseason game between the Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints at the Superdome on Friday, August 16, 2013. (Michael DeMocker, Nola.com / The Times-Picayune)

Humber and Jordan were particularly great throughout the first half, flashing several times. But the performance that mattered most -- at least in the minds of a skeptical Saints fan base -- was that of Smith, who proved what an asset he can still be in his 10th season, especially when he's playing up closer to the line of scrimmage.

Smith nearly had two sacks (he had the first hit on quarterback Matt Flynn before Hicks wrapped him up), and he was the one who blew up the Raiders' line on the fourth-and-1 stop.

I know I'm often accused of being a Smith apologist, but Friday was an example of why. He's not a dynamic athlete, and he's no longer in his Pro Bowl prime. But if the Saints can keep him closer to the line of scrimmage in a hybrid end/linebacker role, his power and physicality remain an asset.

Obviously Smith looks more lost when he's chasing speed backs like Jamaal Charles in the flat, like last week. But then again, he had decent coverage on speed back Darren McFadden in the flat Friday night when Flynn tried to shovel the ball to McFadden under pressure.

Using Smith the right way will be a top priority for defensive coordinator Rob Ryan this season. It will help when injured outside linebackers Junior Galette and Martez Wilson return to the lineup.

Even the Saints' special teams units were much improved in the first half on a Friday night where just about everything went right for the Saints.

It was only the preseason. And it was only the Raiders.

But while the Saints are keeping calm and carrying on, at least they're heading in the right direction.